Pedro Levy “Once in Ukraine”

Hey guys. Have you ever had a motive to leave everything behind, and to take a trip to the shores you have never seen before? Did you manage that, or something stopped you? A hero of this article found enough guts to make it happen and explored a country absolutely new for him. Pedro Henrique Paranhos Levy, a Brazilian citizen, who undertook the challenge to spend two-month long internship in the capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv. Pedro was born and raised in a Brazilian city, Fortaleza. Except occasional trips to neighboring American countries, he did not have any substantial experience abroad. But this has changed after his journey to Ukraine.

This trip destination could sound really unusual for a lot of Brazilians, who choose for travelling mainstream countries like France, Italy, or Spain. What increases, even more, the curiosity about Pedro’s choice is that Ukraine was the first country he ever spent more than 10 days. Let’s find out more about this unusual choice, and reveal Pedro’s motivation to stay in Ukraine for 2 months.

Motivation

Pedro’s motivation to do a double degree program, and to study one year at the partner university in Germany was the main reason to undertake an internship abroad. “To be among selected students for the double degree program, I must have possessed sufficient international experience. Therefore, I decided to do internship abroad. I had considered many countries where I could do that. It would have been definitely easier for me to do the internship in the neighboring countries, but I wanted to experience something new, something I did not know before. And this something was Ukraine”, says Pedro.

But why Ukraine?

AIESEC NGO played important role in Pedro’s choice. This NGO offers options for an internship abroad to motivated students and makes important arrangements to ensure the students’ placement. AIESEC initially suggested Pedro Ukraine as a nice country to experience, and without any doubt, Pedro agreed. “I did not know many things about Ukraine. I knew that the country is in Europe, and in the past, it was a part of the Soviet Union. Also, I was aware of the Chornobyl nuclear catastrophe. Excitement to experience how it feels to live in the post-soviet country, to get to know the people’s mentality and culture, and to visit the site of Chornobyl’s catastrophe made me aware of the rightness of this choice”, comments Pedro.

First impression

After arrival in Kyiv, the first thing Pedro pointed out was very convenient public transportation, no need to rent a car or to call a taxi. A lot of footpaths and sites for pedestrians to walk made it easy to reach different parts of the city just by foot. Very beautiful architecture and incredible landscape where the city lays on made him fall in love with Kyiv from the first days of his stay. Regarding cultural shock, Pedro says that he did not experience any. Overall, the people’s lifestyle in Ukraine is like everywhere in Europe, of course with some minor differences which are hard to explain by words. “Definitely there is something special in mentality and behavior of people in each country, but when the difference is not apparent, it gets hard to explain. It was the case for me in Ukraine”, says Pedro.

Making friends in Ukraine?

One of the main questions people at home ask anyone who has visited foreign countries is how to be friends with locals, and if it is easy to become their friend. “From the very beginning, I was tied to other international students, who came to Kyiv for doing an internship provided by AIESEC. Since AIESEC booked a hostel for all of us, we spent together all the time, out of working hours. I met quite many cool Ukrainian people, during my stay, but, unfortunately, I didn’t experience this kind of friendship I experienced with other international interns. But I think I would if I was not so engaged with other internationals”, explains Pedro.

Internship

In Kyiv, Pedro did his internship at the digital marketing agency. The main issue for Pedro at work was lack of engagement to the unformal relationship in the office, and therefore poor communication with colleagues, apart from working tasks. “However, I really appreciated the solid routine. I mean the working style, like to wake up early, to get into the metro, performance of tasks, etc. It gave me a real experience and impression of how working life feels like. Kyiv was really a perfect city for that since it is big enough to feel the vibrance, and to get into the hustling mode”, says Pedro.

Cultural differences

About the cultural things “I noticed that Ukrainians drink quite much alcohol. The funny thing was, that homeless people are direct regarding what they’re asking money for, just to buy booze. Homeless talk quite comprehensible English, aiming to get money for alcohol. About serious things, I noticed that Ukrainians are quite cold towards people, they do not know. It is hard to get in a close relationship with them, what was my stereotype about East-European people, before coming to Ukraine. Ukrainians are quite modern in terms of style. The country is rich on artists, and subcultures. Electric music is getting popular there and has quite international level. Highly recommend everyone to listen to soundtracks of ARBAT”, says our friend.

Highlights

Among Highlights in Ukraine, Pedro emphasizes a trip to Chornobyl. “It was a great experience to watch this abandoned place. I got the feeling of the tragedy Ukrainians faced resulted from the nuclear explosion. This trip helped me to realize the importance of proper human behavior and our footprint on the Earth”, comments Pedro. Another highlight Pedro elevates is the trip to Odesa. The city is washed by the Black sea and has beautiful architecture with the surrounding. “I am a DJ, and I liked a lot clubbing in Kyiv, especially in “Closer”, and “Green Theater” night clubs, the vibe is amazing over there”, adds Pedro.

Accomplishments

“Thanks to the time spent in Ukraine, I improved my English a lot, since I only had to talk English there. I became more mature and open to new adventures. This international experience helped me to develop my capability in problem-solving since all issues related to my life in Ukraine laid on my shoulders. I made a lot of international friends in Ukraine, who are coming from different countries, and got the further motivation to travel, and to get to know the world. And most important, I experienced a new culture and got to know a new nation, what enriched me as a person. Highly recommend everyone to do the same. After experience abroad, you will become a better version of yourself, and will get closer to grasping the beauty of our world!!!”.

---

What do you think, guys, about Pedro’s experience in Ukraine? Eventually, it is always a question of your wish, and zeal to get what you want. If you have it, you can find money, and time, to make a desirable trip or challenge happen.

Do you have a similar experience? If you do not, look at the map, choose a country, and go for it. We would appreciate hearing from you about your adventure.

Stay motivated and hungry for new challenges!

Yours,

Bonis Rebus